News

Nov 14

Bringing donor organs back to life Opens in new window

A new platform aims to discover novel biomarkers to evaluate organ quality after donation, but before transplantation, and reveal new therapeutic targets to improve donor organ function.

May 19

After-school bioprinting course activates imagination, new skills Opens in new window

A new course led by CMU biomedical engineers at the Citizen Science Lab is teaching middle- and high-school students from underserved communities the processes involved in soft-tissue biofabrication.

Oct 18

A path for clinical translation of 3D-bioprinted human tissues Opens in new window

CMU researchers examine what’s happening in the field of 3D bioprinting, core challenges to overcome, and essential milestones on the horizon toward clinical translation.

More news from the Bioengineered Organs Initiative

Overview

Bioengineered Organs Initiative

Research areas

Bioengineered hearts

Carnegie Mellon researchers are using tissue engineering and bioprinting technology to develop future alternatives for heart transplants. The team’s work uniquely integrates developmental biology, stem cell science, materials science and engineering, and manufacturing.

Bioengineered lungs

Working towards permanent respiratory support, Carnegie Mellon researchers are creating devices that are designed to be a long-term solution instead of a short-term option for patients. The team is focused on changing the way patients are one day able receive respiratory support: allowing patients to go home instead of staying in the hospital.

Three-dimensional tissue constructs

With combined expertise in tissue engineering, materials science, cell biology, and micro-manufacturing, Carnegie Mellon is researching and developing 3-D replacement tissue to treat human disease. From repairing damaged hearts to fixing impaired vision with bioprinted materials, researchers are working towards a future where regenerative strategies are both a viable and life-saving treatment method.

Advanced 3-D bioprinting

Carnegie Mellon researchers are developing advanced “bioprinters”—3-D printers that are able to print soft biomaterials that may someday lead to the printing of organ parts, or even whole organs, that are compatible with the human body.

Enabling technologies

Carnegie Mellon researchers are focused on developing a host of support technologies for the next generation of long-term replacement organs. This holistic approach is necessary to create fully-functioning long-term replacement organs and to ensure their safety and reliability. The support technologies include mathematical modeling, biomaterials, cellular biomechanics, organ cryopreservation, drug delivery and advanced manufacturing.